A couple of hours after I posted the previous blog, just as I was leaving to pick up Justine from Kindergarten, I got a call from a nurse at Mesa Verde. She sounded slightly confused herself as she told me that the ambulance company had just called to inform her that Vernon was being transported from dialysis to Fountain Valley Hospital because he was showing “stroke-like symptoms.” Since he hadn’t arrived at the hospital yet, she couldn’t tell me any more than that.
“What do you mean? Stroke-like symptoms? Doesn’t he show those all the time?”
I called the ambulance company, who told me that indeed one of the EMTs had seen some alarming changes in Vernon en route to the care home. I called my mom, who had just left after two hours by Vernon’s side. She hadn’t noticed anything strange, in fact she thought he seemed better than he had on Friday. I called the dialysis center, where I was told they hadn’t seen anything strange either. It was a mystery.
When I got a hold of the ER nurse, I was told they would run some tests and she’d let me know if he would be admitted or not. I decided to stay put in San Clemente, at least until Maki got home from school. A good thing too, as Vernon was discharged within a few hours. He’d received a CT scan and some blood tests. The final diagnosis? General Weakness.
Oh. Really? Gosh, I never would have guessed it.
So that was that drama. I’m glad I didn’t put forth the energy to be caught up in it as it was a non-story, the whole time. As far as what the EMTs saw, I think its the same thing we see with him every other day. Maybe they were new, maybe this particular team had only seen him on his best days so they noticed the difference. I was thankful to them for caring enough to notice, however. For caring enough to be so concerned that they took him to the ER.
So that was today’s adventure. And it all happened, the whole journey happened without my being there at all. In fact, it happened without Vernon knowing a single person he interacted with (except for the EMTs, who he may have just met today, for all I know.) Vernon is becoming more independent by the day!
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Well, isn’t it amazing- we do get to choose what things we choose to worry about, make a fuss over, etc. Reminds me of the Brene Brown segment where she talks about “whole hearted people”- how they take a deep breath before they respond or rush to judgement or freak out. They ask questions- debating whether or not this is a “need to be concerned or freak out’ kind of situation. Then they pause- think- wait.
Interesting. I do believe you are growing into the “whole hearted”, don’t you?
If any of the rest of us got a call that our loved one was on his way into the hospital we’d totally freak out.
I’m not sure I’m making any point here- except to say that I’m so very proud of you. and I love you more everyday that I know you.
Thank you for being so transparent- I hope someday I can learn how to do that too. 🙂
Allison,
Oh, how wonderful you handled that. I don’t know what would happen to me and I guess that is why is happening to you. And there people praying for your family all over and God is a mighty God who can help thru anything. We are so proud of you as well. See, God knows who to give problems. And who needs to pray for your family everyday. Prays are coming your way.
Love and prays,
Becky Jones
P.S. I love the bird that you were drawing for sale. RKJ
So happy Vernon was just tired! I guess the ambulance people are trained to spot strokes. Very good you didn’t have to get caught up in it, but obviusly you did to a certain degree, because you made calls and got all the information. You are an expert of Vernon’s case, and you are so very, very caring. It’s up to everyone else to understand that the distress is still there, even though it’s not humanly possible to take it all in in a “normal way.”